Catonsville in Baltimore County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Benjamin Banneker(1731–1806)

By William Pfingsten, August 19, 2007

1. Benjamin Banneker Marker

Inscription. The self-educated Negro mathematician and astronomer was born, lived his entire life and died near here. He assisted in surveying the District of Columbia, 1791, and published the first Maryland Almanac, 1792. Thomas Jefferson recognized his achievements.

Erected by Maryland Historical Society.

Location. 39° 16.168′ N, 76° 46.499′ W. Marker is in Catonsville, Maryland, in Baltimore County. Marker can be reached from Oella Road. Click for map. Marker is on grounds of Benjamin Banneker Historical Park approximately 1 mile north of Frederick Road (Md 144). Marker is in this post office area: Catonsville MD 21228, United States of America.

More about this marker. This marker has had a difficult history, due, it seems, to vandals, perhaps motivated by racism. A marker was erected by the State Roads Commission on the west side of Westchester Avenue, one block south of Oella Avenue, in 1954. It read as follows:

Benjamin Banneker1731-1806Self-educated Negromathematician-astronomer

He made the first Maryland Almanac in 1792. Assisted in survey of District of Columbia. His achievements recognized by Thomas Jefferson.

Was born, lived his entire life and died near here.

According to the Baltimore Evening Sun, November 9, 1981, "Within a short time this first marker was destroyed by vandals. It was replaced in 1968, but a year later the second marker was destroyed. A third marker was erected in 1969, but that marker was also destroyed. Today the location of Banneker's farm is marked only by the stubby pole that once held this final plaque."

Banneker's cabin was destroyed by fire on the day of his funeral. This replica is located on the park grounds behind the museum.

Credits. This page originally submitted on August 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,569 times since then. Last updated on February 15, 2008, by Christopher Busta-Peck of Shaker Heights, Ohio. Photos:1. submitted on August 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 15, 2012, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. 3. submitted on August 19, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 15, 2012, by Syd Whittle of El Dorado Hills, California. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.